Thunder (book)/Chapter 19

"Cats can only thrive with the help and support of others. We should accept that. We must help each other and share what we have instead of competing over land and prey. It needs to be part of our way of life. I want RiverClan to be like that. To be something new, something different, something better. That's why choosing the right leader is so important."

— Frostpaw to Nightheart about RiverClan's future in Thunder, page 290

Thunder (book)
Chapter number:	19 (of 22)
Page numbers:	285-297
Point of View:	Frostpaw
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter nineteen of Thunder (book). If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 19 (of 22)

Page Numbers: 285-297

Chapter description

As Frostpaw gazes over the river, Nightheart joins her and asks if she's alright. Frostpaw admits that she's learned some very difficult truths while meditating and she doubts if she's able to continue. However, her friend has faith in her strength. He points out that even the park cats respect her since they've been leaving her food. Frostpaw feels like she's not worthy of their respect since she fell for Splashtail's tricks. As they eat, Frostpaw explains how StarClan wants her to select RiverClan's new leader, and her time with the park cats has opened her eyes to good qualities in a future leader. She wonders if RiverClan can ever be like the park cats, willing to help each other instead of relying on their claws and fangs. Nightheart wonders if that's risky due to cats like Darktail, but Frostpaw insists that cats like Darktail cannot exist in a Clan guided by kindness.

With that in mind, Frostpaw knows she only has one more meditation left with Riverstar: she's finally ready to accept what he's been holding back from her. That night, Frostpaw opens her mind to her final vision: she sees Splashtail killing Reedwhisker, planting the curled feather near the Moonpool to signify Curlfeather's leadership, and attacking her on the WindClan moor. Riverstar's voice apologizes for what she's about to see next, but Frostpaw insists that she's ready. In her vision, she overhears Splashtail speaking with another cat about moving Reedwhisker's body before the search patrol can find it. With gut-wrenching horror, Frostpaw realizes that her mother Curlfeather had plotted with Splashtail to kill Reedwhisker and had manipulated her visions all along. Riverstar confirms that Curlfeather rests in the Dark Forest for her actions, and he comforts Frostpaw. The gray she-cat wakes up by the river from her meditation with newfound resolve to heal her Clan. She's ready to go home.

Characters

Major

• Frostpaw

Minor

• Nightheart
• Wasp
• Scruff
• Rook
• Bee
• Waffle
• Lark
• Weevil
• Peg
• Reedwhisker (Flashback only)
• Splashtail (Flashback only)
• Riverstar
• Curlfeather (Flashback only)

Mentioned

• Darktail

Important events

• Frostpaw learns that it was Splashtail who killed Reedwhisker, faked the sign with the curled feather, and that he and her mother Curlfeather originally teamed up to take over RiverClan's leadership.